Lucy's first soccer experience

Let me tell you about Lucy's first experience with soccer. It started off iffy but by the 2nd to last practice she was all about it.

She was all excited about playing. We even went to Dick's Sporting Goods and got her the soccer package which included a ball, shin guards, cleats, and socks. She was all set! We even found her some silky pink soccer shorts from Goodwill. Everything was awesome...and then came time to take her to her first practice. Trey was working so I took her and Ruby with me. It was a cold and drizzly day but they still went on with practice. Lucy just hugged my hip the whole time, would barely touch the ball or look at her coach. Poor thing gets so anxious around new people and situations. It was frustrating as a mom because I know she could do all the stuff they were practicing, she was just choosing not to participate. So after that day I talked to her about it and she said she would do better next week.

The next week rolled around and it was more of the same. And the week after that too. Ugh. Trey even tried the next week and he came home and said "That was the most frustrating thing ever!" We asked her if she even wanted to go the week after and she was unsure. Then Trey had the idea of asking our friend to come pick her up and take her. She liked that idea. So Melissa came over and picked Lucy up and an hour later brought her back. I asked Melissa how it went and she started raving, "Lucy is a natural! She was running for the ball and she even scored a goal!!" Whaaaaat?? That little stinker was totally holding out on us. For some reason when Trey or I were there, she got all shy. She's been like that for a lot of things though. It works so much better if we just drop her off and say "Have fun!" So I talked to her after and she was all smiles and said she LOVED soccer. Ha ha ha! I knew she would, she just had to give it a chance. I'm so glad she did! Although I'm quite bummed that I wasn't even there to see her first goal!

The next week, which was the last week, she wanted us to drop her off and leave. So we pretended like we did but then hung back in the car and in the shade so she couldn't really see us. Trey got a bunch of pics of her playing, it made me so happy to watch her try!

 

Some action shots...

Here is her cute little team, the Blue Dolphins. Her coach was so great.

I'm so glad we ended on a high note. Hopefully next year she'll be able to pick up where she left off with no fear.